We did a lot of rearranging of our upstairs. The King Suite has become the repository of old books, it has a cute seating area and a stretching and meditation area. Behind the curtains, in the bay window, there is a bunch of piles of stuff that I could organize better. It's all our grab-and-go Disneyland packing and travel items. Mixed in with some random blankets and home goods that I don't know what to do with. I did sell some things on the consignment sale, but I could be more aggressive in promoting and letting go of leftover things on Buy Nothing. Or organize the closet better to accommodate that stuff in our King Suite walk-in closet.
The Queen suite is now a bunkhouse. It has toys and books like a child's playroom. It has the LoveSac CitySac which is kind of too big for the space, but we aren't ready to get rid of it just yet. It has a fake tree that doesn't even look remotely real, but it was free, and good ones are like $80. I love the bunk beds. I love the two bedside storage units I got on the last consignment sale. They hold my phone, water, and tissues. I'm starting to leave kiddo alone in the Queen bed and sleeping alone on the bunk bed. It's nice to have the option on these hot summer nights.
I had the bathroom set up like a Disney hotel for my sister's visit in May, but we made all the big changes after she left. We had a mini-Minnie fridge and Mickey single-cup coffee maker in there. I got a new shelf to use more vertical space and bring a spa-quality. I love it. Also, I found a pretty sweet TV stand on the curb, which adds a spot for the TV and some storage for clothes and art supplies. I have the easel in the closet at the moment. But we had such a good time painting, I know I'll be getting that stuff out again at some point. I just got a few new canvases, well they have paintings on them now, but I plan to Gesso and repurpose them.
I finally put up some things in the downstairs bathroom that I've been wanting to do since we moved in here over 6 years ago. My lipstick rack! And a prayer mat that is very decorative with flowers, etc. Leaning into the cottage-core, I know that botanical prints are my style, and maximalist decorating is okay with me. I used some sticky-back Velcro to mount the carpet to the wall. It was a quick fix inspired by all the child-proofing we did. It's fun to see some or all of the childproofing stuff coming down now that the kiddo is nearly 3.5 years old.
Making memories with travel and travel fantasy has been the vibe of July. Since our magic key is blocked out for the summer, I planned some ways to travel to Disneyland virtually, inspired by so many folks who did so during the pandemic closures. I made a cookbook of my favorite foods. I made a playlist of music that you would hear at the park. I bought some aromatherapy oils that are Disney-themed. Bought a Mickey balloon at Dollar Tree. I dress us in our parkwear even when we aren't going out. These are some of the ways we have created staycations that are fun, family-oriented, and not free. Definitely not free. But at least we don't have to endure this brutal 100-degree heat.
It has taken me a long time to source the raw materials for the Disneyland recipes. Which kind of makes me appreciate and yearn for the parks even more. The recipes are quite involved with lots of exotic ingredients and take lots of time and energy to make. When you think of it that way, the park prices don't seem so steep. I thought I would want to cook a lot when we got back from Nebraska, but it's been so hot, I don't want to turn on the oven.
Here is our Nebraska Trip Packing list:
Carryon
1) Umbrella stroller
2) Tula & ring sling
3) Albert's headphones
4) Kelly backpack
5) crackers
6) oreos
7) m&ms
8) cherrios
9) flour sack towel
10) diapers
11) wipes
12) clothes for Albert
13) toys (separate list below)
14) power bank + cable
15) CARES harness
16) small Mickey backpack
17) Cotopaxi backpack
Mom & Dad
1) underwear (8)
2) socks (7)
3) walking shoes (wear it)
4) flip flops
5) yoga pants (1)
6) shorts (5)
7) sweat pants / jeans (1)
8) tops (7)
9) sports bras (2)
10) toiletry bag w/ nail clippers, shampoo / conditioner, body wash, hire gel, toothpaste / toothbrush
11) headphones
12) swimsuits
13) hats
14) Tylenol/vitamins
15) long-sleeved shirt (1)
16) cable for versa 3
17) Goodr sunglasses
18) garment bag for washing
19) large wetbag for laundry
20) small wetbag for swimming
Albie
1) short outfits (7)
2) long pants (2)
3) pjs (7)
4) socks (7)
5) shoes (wear it)
6) hat
7) swimsuit
8) swim diapers (4)
9) mud boots
10) cousin crew shirt
Wish I had brought
1) Q-tips
Honestly, we had enough of everything. We did laundry 3 times, about every 4th day. We brought a ton of stuff to occupy the kiddo on the plane but ended up using it on the trip so it was worth bringing but could've been in a checked bag.
Alphabet Water Coloring Cards
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR37XL5R
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR37XL5R
Vehicle Foam Magnets for Toddlers
Disney Pixar Cars/Planes Ultimate Sticker Activity Pad
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BMMNSL8
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BMMNSL8
MagnetiBook Racers Vehicle Game
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BB7PXQT
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BB7PXQT
Splash Of Color- Magnetic Sorting Set
PlayTape Road Tape for Toy Cars
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GZ8UE2K
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GZ8UE2K
Amazon Basics Reusable Silicone Round Baking Cups, Muffin Liners, Pack of 12, Multicolor
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KWTGAVQ
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KWTGAVQ
POP! Tinsel Pom Bright Assorted 100ct
Disney/Pixar Cars 3 My Busy Book -10 Figurines and a Playmat
https://a.co/d/3ZyZcXt
https://a.co/d/3ZyZcXt
Honestly, everything on this list was a hit except the sticker pad. I know we will use the stickers at some point so it's not a big deal. One funny thing that happened is that I had a battery pack in my carry-on and also the magnetic book. The airport scanners read it as an undeclared tablet and gave us a hard time about it. So just be aware of that, if you're flying with the magnetic book and a power bank, best to take them out and explain what they are to TSA. Another thing that I forgot is that if you have programs downloaded to your tablet on Apps like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Paramount+, or Netflix, they will say expired or something when you are in airplane mode. Then when we were able to connect to the wifi, it worked again. Honestly, what is the point of traveling with a tablet if it doesn't play the downloaded content on the flight? We did use it in the airport during our 2-hour layover so it did have some use, but not as much as I thought. More useful was the phone connected to Southwest free onboard wifi and watching a free movie. We watched "The Croods: A New Age." I was surprised to hear the flight crew announce that all passengers using mobile entertainment MUST wear headphones. We had some but I just don't recall a specific announcement before. We brought a monkey leash, harness, and stuffie, but it wasn't as useful as in prior years. He threw a tantrum in the carrier and on the leash. Actually, the umbrella stroller was a godsend and totally saved our asses. We lost our 2nd cupholder by gate-checking it, but it was super helpful and worth it.
Universal Stroller Sun Cover UV Protection Baby Stroller Sun Shade Buggy Pram Sun Rain Shade Blackout Blind Canopy blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VXJJC65
This cover has been amazing and has taken the umbrella stroller from a novelty to an actually useful and functional piece of equipment. The stroller we have now is this one. I think I bought it for $15 or something like that. It's been great. We even got kiddo to take a nap in it. The only thing it's missing is a snack tray but that would take away from its collapsability. We used to have two cupholders, then only 1, and now none.
Summer 3Dlite Convenience Stroller, Black – Lightweight Stroller with Aluminum Frame, Large Seat Area, Mesh Siding, 4 Position Recline, Extra Large Storage Basket – Infant Stroller for Travel https://a.co/d/01npwmd
We ended up needing an extra suitcase on the way back because we bought some Hot Wheels tracks and my parents gave me some Little Golden Books from my childhood. It was a long trip. It was a great trip. It was painful revisiting childhood trauma and even worse bringing my husband and son into it. It was refreshing to have my adult self and my husband's adult self validating that it was traumatic and there's a reason I now live 2000 miles away. Although it was sad to see how close my parents are with their other grandchildren, I see that it might not be healthy for me to live closer. My mom and I get along so well over the phone, but in person, we're like gas and a lighted match. Not sure who is who in that analogy, but let's just call it volatile and unstable.
Got my new teaching schedule and feeling a bit of back-to-school manic energy. Bought a new lab coat. Letting my hair grow out. Took kiddo to our pool in his puddle jumper and he had a blast. He picked out this set of bath toys at World of Disney in May and then had a meltdown that the wheels didn't spin. Fast forward two months and he is loving them as pool toys.
Wow, this is turning out to be a long post. I'm not even able to convey all the stuff I bought for myself during my birthday month. Let’s just say that I celebrated myself by getting some new Latched Mama rompers, t-shirts, PJs, and jewelry. I have a couple of items I haven't worn yet. One I did wear and kiddo told me I looked pretty which was definitely one of those Grinch moments where my heart swelled to 10x its usual size. This was on my way to the book club. I'm enjoying getting back into reading and logged a few books for the library reading challenge. I'm doing a big deep cleaning here at home, partly because we need it, and partly because I agreed to host the next book club. I got a few pairs of Goodr sunglasses, which I love. I know I said I would put a pause on buying breastfeeding clothing but I just can't. I'm still doing it so often, it seems right to keep going.
How does it feel to be 43 years old? I'll leave you with a few realizations I had while doing yoga this past weekend at Malibu Wines... Thank you for making me a woman. Thank you for allowing me to carry and breastfeed a child. Thank you for making me a teacher. I love my students. I love being a woman. Honestly. I have never felt such a deep and profound gratitude for my body and for my womanhood. And for my hormones. And for not giving up my profession. I do love having summers off to spend in creativity and in love with my son. World Breastfeeding Week is just around the corner: Tue, Aug 1– Mon, Aug 7. The theme is "Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a Difference for Working Parents.”
